Ansel felt a heavy weight of guilt pressing down on his heart as he recalled the events of the previous night. He didn't have an idea if his words made Rhea dismayed. Literally what he said, it was common sense as a human.
The memory of her dismal expression haunted him. He knew he had to make things right. The silence between them was unbearable. And Ansel was determined to mend the fragile thread of their relationship.
With that resolve, he decided to do something thoughtful for her. Thus, Ansel had spent hours researching how to take care of a Simurgh.
What kind of food it prefers, its habits, and its needs. After careful consideration, he concluded that lamb would be the best choice to please Rhea.
However, finding lamb in Japan at night proved to be a challenge. Most markets were closed. And the streets were quiet under the moonlight. Ansel's search seemed futile until he reached out to Touji Ito, a monk he had met at the temple, hoping for guidance.
When he looked at the monk, he put aside the silly thought. Why did the monk wander in the street late at night?.
Touji Ito listened patiently for what Ansel was looking for. And then he shook his head with a gentle smile. "It's getting late. No one sells meat at night. You'd better spend the night here. Tomorrow morning, we will buy lamb together."
Grateful for the offer, Ansel accepted and spent the night at the temple alongside Touji Ito and other monks. The temple's vibe was a stark contrast to his restless thoughts. But it gave him a moment of peace and reflection.
As dawn broke, Touji Ito led Ansel to the bustling morning market. The air was filled with the scent of fresh produce and the lively chatter of vendors. Ansel carefully selected 2 kilograms of fresh lamb, thinking of how pleased Rhea would be.
Touji Ito watched curiously as Ansel carried the sizable portion of meat. He asked, intrigued by the unusual purchase. "Why do you buy this much meat? Is this for rituals?"
Ansel smiled softly. He shook his head. "No, this is for my friend."
The words hung in the air, simple yet profound. Touji Ito nodded, sensing the depth of Ansel's care and determination.
Together, they returned to the temple, ready to deliver the lamb. And more importantly, to heal the bond that had been strained.
"Andrew is lucky to have a friend like you. You are very good to him." Touji said thoughtfully. His eyes reflected a quiet admiration. He had assumed that the friend Ansel was referring to was Andrew, the name that had come up often in their conversations.
Ansel shook his head gently, a small smile playing on his lips. He explained patiently, sensing Touji's surprise. "This is not for Andrew."
"Whether you believe it or not, it's for my other friend. She's not human. She is my Guardian Spirit. You probably won't believe me, but she is real." Ansel said honestly. Thought he didn't care whether what he said made Touji Ito believe or not.
Touji's expression shifted from curiosity to understanding. He said quietly, as if sharing a secret. "I also know a Guardian Spirit."
Ansel's eyes widened slightly. A spark of hope lit up within him. "Really? That means you believe in my story."
Touji nodded solemnly. "My late adopted father also has a Guardian Spirit."
"What is it?" Ansel leaned in, eager to hear more.
Touji's voice lowered. It was filled with reverence. "Kitsune, the nine-tailed fox. He can turn into a human. I've seen it in human form for once."
The revelation hung in the air between them, a bridge connecting their vibe. Ansel felt a surge of relief and a sense of kinship. Here was someone who understood the invisible threads that tied spirits and humans together. Someone who believed in the extraordinary.
For the first time in a long while, Ansel felt less in his quest to help Rhea, his Guardian Spirit. With Touji's belief, perhaps the impossible was not so far out of reach after all.
The fact that the Kitsune, was also a Guardian Spirit. The ability to transform into a human was exactly what Rhea had longed for. This revelation ignited a spark of hope within him. If the fox could do it, then perhaps Rhea's dream of becoming human was not as impossible as it once seemed.
"Do you know how to turn into a human?" Ansel asked eagerly. His eyes shone with anticipation.
Touji shook his head slowly, a shadow crossing his face. "I don't know. My adopted father who only knows. He didn't teach me how the Guardian Spirit could transform into a human, nor did he explain everything about the divine and the other aspects beyond humans. Because it's forbidden."
The weight of Touji's words crashed down on Ansel like a cold wave. His hope, so freshly kindled, shattered instantly.
The path to helping Rhea seemed more elusive than ever. Yet, even in the face of this setback, a small flame of determination remained. At least now he knew it was possible. Rhea could turn into a human. The challenge was to find the way.
Touji's curiosity piqued as he looked at Ansel with a thoughtful expression. "Do you want to turn her into a human?"
"That's the only thing she wants. I promise to make his wish come true." Ansel's voice was steady. It was filled with unwavering resolve.
The promise hung in the air, a solemn vow that carried the weight of friendship, hope, and the courage to defy the impossible. Ansel knew the journey ahead would be fraught with challenges. But he was ready to face them all, for Rhea, as the friend who had given him so much without ever asking for anything in return.
Noticing the disappointment lingering in Ansel's eyes, Touji quickly changed the subject, hoping to lift his spirits. He asked with a gentle smile. He tried to bring some lightness to the moment. "How are you going to cook all this meat?"
"I can use the kitchen where I'm staying." Ansel replied. He glanced down at the lamb in his
hands.
Touji shook his head with a knowing look. "You can use the temple kitchen to cook meat."
Ansel's brow furrowed in concern. "Isn't that banned? As far as I know, meat is a taboo for the monks."
Touji nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. Monks never eat meat. But it does not forbid a guest from cooking meat. So, nothing to worry about."
Relieved, Ansel smiled and said. "Okay. Thank you."